"big al" cement encaustic tile in federal blue/nautical blue/ white make a fascinating focal point within the clean lines of this updated kitchen by emily henderson. inspired by the grand palace located in Granada Spain, big al, takes this classic arabesque motif and gives it the grandeur befitting of this palatial estate. shop here: https://www.cletile.com/products/big-al-8x8-stock?variant=52702594886

SpaceCrafting
Example of a large danish light wood floor kitchen design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, white appliances and an island

Our clients have been waiting 20 years to redo their kitchen. Retirement has its’ perks! As a retired educator, along with her husband, our clients were finally able to focus on this full kitchen remodel. A full gut and removal of outdated, orange, builder-grade cabinets, were replaced and updated. Keeping their layout, they needed more storage. We helped them design a space that eliminated the makeshift furniture that flooded their breakfast area and added additional cabinetry to enhance their dining experience. This included a full run of lower drawer banks and 42” upper cabinets in the eat-in kitchen. Our client values heirlooms and one of the most important functions of her new kitchen had to include storage for an oversized roasting pan that had been handed down in her family. We helped her build oversized custom drawers to accommodate this pan, which meant the world to our clients. We updated their fluorescent lighting to recess in the main kitchen and added pendent lighting over the island. We brought their island up to code by removing the electrical in the bar and adding pop-up outlets and an air switch for their disposal. Through this process we shepherded them through the full design of their kitchen and walked through stone galleries and tile shops to ensure support in their selections. It is important to us that our clients feel supported in the selection process by minimizing decision fatigue. We added storage solutions for pull-out trash, pull-down spice racks, and a Lazy-Susan for that once-dead-corner in their old kitchen. In the end, these clients transformed their drab 90’s kitchen into a dreamy, white-bright culinary showstopper. While stunning and beautiful, it is also functional and practical.

The Science of Light and Learning To understand the relationship between lighting and learning, it’s critical to grasp the concept of correlated colour temperature (CCT). CCT refers to the warmth or coolness of light, measured in Kelvin (K). Lower CCTs (around 3000K) provide a warm, cosy atmosphere, while higher CCTs (5000K or above) emit a cool, daylight-like glow. Studies have shown that cool white light, which mimics natural daylight, can increase alertness and mood, contributing to improved cognitive performance. LED lighting, with its ability to produce this desired CCT, makes an ideal choice for educational settings. LED Lighting: Brightening the Future of Education Energy Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness One of the main advantages of LED lighting is its energy efficiency. Traditional lighting solutions like fluorescent and incandescent bulbs consume much more energy to produce the same amount of light as LEDs, which is not only environmentally harmful but also financially costly. Switching to LED lights can result in substantial cost savings for schools, enabling them to redirect funds to other critical areas of education. Durability and Longevity LED lights are renowned for their durability and longevity. They have a significantly longer lifespan compared to conventional lights, which means less frequent replacement and reduced maintenance costs. This durability also minimises disruptions caused by light failure, providing a consistent, well-lit learning environment. Improved Visibility and Reduced Eye Strain With their superior colour rendering index (CRI), LED lights render colours more accurately, leading to improved visibility. This is particularly beneficial in educational settings, where activities often require distinguishing fine details and colours. LED lights also emit less glare than traditional lighting solutions, reducing eye strain and fatigue. This can lead to better concentration and increased comfort for both students and teachers. Incorporating LED Lighting in Classrooms: Practical Considerations When transitioning to LED lighting in classrooms, a few key factors need to be taken into account. Firstly, the lighting design should ensure an even distribution of light, preventing shadowy or overly bright spots that could distract or discomfort students. Secondly, the integration of dimming capabilities can provide flexibility, allowing educators to adjust the lighting level based on the task at hand. Finally, lighting controls can be used to take advantage of natural light, automatically dimming or turning off the LEDs when sufficient daylight is present. Conclusion: The Bright Promise of LED Lighting in Education As education systems continue to evolve, it’s imperative to keep sight of the physical factors that significantly impact learning, one of which is lighting. LED technology, with its myriad benefits, offers an innovative and effective way to enhance the quality of lighting in classrooms. By prioritising investments in such improvements, we can take a significant step towards creating an optimised learning environment that nurtures the educational success of future generations.

Our clients have been waiting 20 years to redo their kitchen. Retirement has its’ perks! As a retired educator, along with her husband, our clients were finally able to focus on this full kitchen remodel. A full gut and removal of outdated, orange, builder-grade cabinets, were replaced and updated. Keeping their layout, they needed more storage. We helped them design a space that eliminated the makeshift furniture that flooded their breakfast area and added additional cabinetry to enhance their dining experience. This included a full run of lower drawer banks and 42” upper cabinets in the eat-in kitchen. Our client values heirlooms and one of the most important functions of her new kitchen had to include storage for an oversized roasting pan that had been handed down in her family. We helped her build oversized custom drawers to accommodate this pan, which meant the world to our clients. We updated their fluorescent lighting to recess in the main kitchen and added pendent lighting over the island. We brought their island up to code by removing the electrical in the bar and adding pop-up outlets and an air switch for their disposal. Through this process we shepherded them through the full design of their kitchen and walked through stone galleries and tile shops to ensure support in their selections. It is important to us that our clients feel supported in the selection process by minimizing decision fatigue. We added storage solutions for pull-out trash, pull-down spice racks, and a Lazy-Susan for that once-dead-corner in their old kitchen. In the end, these clients transformed their drab 90’s kitchen into a dreamy, white-bright culinary showstopper. While stunning and beautiful, it is also functional and practical.

"The Beauty of the Earth. Natural Watercolor" Healing Art for Healthcare project. Offering as ready metal, wood, acrylic, or farmed prints or canva in a different sizes. Also available as image licensing for your own local printing. Worldwide delivery. I seem to have lost track of countless times this grass photo has sold, as prints or as digital licenses to interior design and art advisors companies for healthcare projects. Just couple of months ago this image license was sold once again for wall art project in one of USA clinic. The reasons why it will be suitable almost for any wall art solution for healthcare spaces: - It immediately meets strict hospital Evidence-Based Design (EBD) criteria, which require realistic, non-threatening nature imagery. - Zero Cognitive Fatigue. The composition lacks complex abstract shapes - Flawless Color Compatibility. The natural green and blue undertones perfectly match standard healthcare finish palettes. Research from The Center for Health Design shows that a balanced green-blue palette operates as a natural visual sedative, lowering acute environmental tension. - Soft Fascination. For an image to restore mental energy, it must possess "soft fascination", visual properties that catch the eye gently without requiring active cognitive processing. - Macro Minimalism. The viewer's eyes easily rest on central, glowing blades of grass, shifting the nervous system from a sympathetic state to a parasympathetic (rest-and-recover) state. - Sunlight and Hope. Neurologically, sunlight signals a brand-new day, triggering the release of serotonin and offsetting the sterile, windowless spaces.

Our clients have been waiting 20 years to redo their kitchen. Retirement has its’ perks! As a retired educator, along with her husband, our clients were finally able to focus on this full kitchen remodel. A full gut and removal of outdated, orange, builder-grade cabinets, were replaced and updated. Keeping their layout, they needed more storage. We helped them design a space that eliminated the makeshift furniture that flooded their breakfast area and added additional cabinetry to enhance their dining experience. This included a full run of lower drawer banks and 42” upper cabinets in the eat-in kitchen. Our client values heirlooms and one of the most important functions of her new kitchen had to include storage for an oversized roasting pan that had been handed down in her family. We helped her build oversized custom drawers to accommodate this pan, which meant the world to our clients. We updated their fluorescent lighting to recess in the main kitchen and added pendent lighting over the island. We brought their island up to code by removing the electrical in the bar and adding pop-up outlets and an air switch for their disposal. Through this process we shepherded them through the full design of their kitchen and walked through stone galleries and tile shops to ensure support in their selections. It is important to us that our clients feel supported in the selection process by minimizing decision fatigue. We added storage solutions for pull-out trash, pull-down spice racks, and a Lazy-Susan for that once-dead-corner in their old kitchen. In the end, these clients transformed their drab 90’s kitchen into a dreamy, white-bright culinary showstopper. While stunning and beautiful, it is also functional and practical.